KFC has appointed Suhayl Limbada as chief marketing officer for India and partner countries (Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives).

Limbada moves from KFC Thailand, where he was market lead and chief marketing officer. He joined the brand in 2015 and was based in South Africa.

Limbada said, “India represents an incredibly exciting chapter in my journey as a marketer. It is one of the most exciting & complex markets in the world and that is exactly what makes it so energising. The scale is undeniable, but it is the diversity of people, culture and tastes that makes building a brand here both challenging and deeply rewarding. My time in Thailand pushed me beyond marketing into truly understanding the business end-to-end, learning to lead through people, trust and belief, especially when the answers aren’t obvious. That’s the mindset I’m bringing into India. The focus is simple, build a brand that people genuinely feel connected to, because that’s what ultimately drives demand and growth. Alongside our team and franchise partners, I want to create an environment that values curiosity, commercial astuteness and the courage to do things differently. If we get that right, the ambition is clear, to push creative boundaries across all fronts and prove that bold, heart led thinking is what sets KFC apart from the rest.”

He takes on the mantle from Aparna Bhawal, who took over as CMO in 2023. 

Limbada has also worked with Mondelez, Kraft Foods Group, GSK and P&G.